Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [96]
Also increasingly popular among short-term visitors are furnished flats that give you the benefit of space, privacy and independence, making them especially attractive to families and self-caterers.
Berlin’s excellent public transport system puts you within easy reach of everything, so you don’t have to be too fussy about which district to base yourself in. Prices noted below are guidelines only and may vary depending on the season, day of the week or trade show or special events activity.
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Mitte
BUDGET
baxpax downtown (Map; 2787 4880; www.baxpax.de; Ziegelstrasse 28; dm €16-31, s €42-57, d €69-82, discounts Nov-Feb, breakfast €5.50; ) Baxpax was among the first in town to take budget hospitality to a whole new level. Meet other globetrotters in the fireplace cafe, the courtyard lounge (with stylish pods for chilling) or the rooftop terrace before retiring to modern, spacious rooms and dorms outfitted with flat-screen TV, a table and bedside reading lamps. Some have private bathrooms.
Wombat’s City Hostel Berlin (Map; 8471 0820; www.wombats-hostels.com; Alte Schönhauser Strasse 2; dm/d €21/58, apt with kitchen €100, discounts Nov-Feb; ) Wombat’s knows how to do hostelling right. From backpack-sized in-room lockers to individual reading lamps and a guest kitchen, the attention to detail is impressive. Spacious rooms have their own bathrooms and freebies include linen, wi-fi (lobby only) and a welcome drink, best enjoyed with fellow party pilgrims in the 7th-floor Wombar.
We also like the following:
Citystay Hostel (Map; 2362 4031; www.citystay.de; Rosenstrasse 16; dm €17-21, s/d with bathroom €55/64, linen €2.50; ) Central hostel and Busabout stop Click here.
Circus Hostel (Map; 2839 1433; www.circus-berlin.de; Weinbergsweg 1a; dm €19-25, s/d with bathroom €50/70, 2-/4-person apt €85/140; ) Brought to you by the Circus Hotel folks, this splendid and central budget abode fires on all cylinders.
MIDRANGE
Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz (Map; 2005 4080; www.motel-one.de; Dircksenstrasse 36; d €74-124, breakfast €6.50; ) This stylish crash pad for the cash-strapped has smallish rooms but up-to-the-minute touches (flat-screen TVs, rainforest showers) that are normally the staple of posher players. The lobby takes on a second life as a breakfast area and chill zone.
Circus Hotel (Map; 2839 1433; www.circus-berlin.de; Rosenthaler Strasse 1; s €68, d €78-98; ) The Circus crew has upped the ante once again with this awesome outpost perfect for grown-up backies. It gets rave reviews for its friendly, professional staff, colour-drenched rooms, excellent breakfast, eco-conscious approach and progressive touches, such as iPod and baby-phone rentals.
Arte Luise Kunsthotel (Map; 284 480; www.luise-berlin.com; Luisenstrasse 19; s €80-115, d €100-210, breakfast €11; ) At this ‘gallery with rooms’ you might sleep in a bed built for giants, in the company of astronauts or inside a boudoir-red ‘Cabaret’. Each unit reflects the vision of a different artist, who receives royalties whenever it’s rented. Smaller, bathless rooms are also available. Courtyard rooms are quieter.
Honigmond Garden Hotel (Map; 2844 5577; www.honigmond-berlin.de; Invalidenstrasse 122; s €105-175, d €125-235; ) Never mind the busy thoroughfare: this 20-room guesthouse is a sweet retreat where antique-filled rooms overlook a flowery garden with koi pond. The clubby lounge with honour bar and magazines is tailor-made for trading tips with other guests.
Arcotel John F (Map; 405 0460; www.arcotel.at; Werderscher Markt 11; r €108-280, breakfast €18; ) This urbane lifestyle hotel pays homage to John F Kennedy with plenty of whimsical detail, including hand-carved rocking chairs (because the President used